Hi!

Sorry for the long wait! Things have been pretty hectic over here with not having a laptop and home life being such a bother that I really can't explain it. But I am back! YAY!

I would like to thank those who reviewed my story so far! Thank you so much! Those reviews have made my day and especially one in particular who is now my co-author of this story! Give a round of applause to alleygirl24! She is amazing! She has helped me greatly and wrote some of the chapters to this story which you will be seeing soon. She is an amazing writer so please check out her stories.

Okay so I hope I have kept everyone in character. Special thanks to alleygirl24 for writing a part of this chapter for me to get me back on track. THANK YOU!

Please Read and Review!

Thank you!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Dark Knight Rises or any of its characters except for my own and the same applies to the original characters of alleygirl24 has brought in. There will be more information at the end of this story.

Enjoy!

Bane was always in control.

Did not matter if it was his strength or his emotions, he always had control of the situation be they good or bad. He had to be. Too many years living in The Pit had taught him survival early on in his hellish life. When fights or riots broke out between the Alpha cellmates, it always led to bloodshed and death. As an Alpha child, he was able to hide from those fights like most of the Omegas and Betas who lived there; watching what those men did to each other, the madness and the Alpha instinct controlling each and every one of their actions and decisions as they attacked one another. As he became older he had to participate in those fights, not only to show that he was a strong Alpha and never to underestimate his worth, but to protect the two most important people in his life; Talia and her mother Nadiya. He had to be on constant alert.

And on the terrible day his young Talia escaped from the Pit, he lost his first fight. It cost him the life of Nadiya, the woman he looked up to as his own mother who had raised him since she had arrived in that Hell Hole. He had failed to save her.

It also cost him his face and his body.

The Prison Doctor had been able to keep him alive, but he could not fix the horrendous damage the inmates had done to him. They had literally tore into his face, causing him to be in great agony, hardly able to breathe on his own without having a serious agonizing attack to his lungs. One of the Alphas had a small sharp blade on hand and slashed his back; all the way down from his neck to his hips on his spine. A mark to prove Bane was weak, that he had failed.

He had failed to guard Nadiya, but he swore on her spirit he would protect Talia from all the dangers of their dark world. He would be her Guardian…her Protector. He would not lose Talia, as he lost her mother. He would become a stronger Alpha, more powerful, so he may never lose another fight again. He would win.

His chance to prove himself came when Ras al Ghul with his assassins descended into the Pit to act vengeance upon the darkly corruption the hole harbored within its walls. To this day he could never fully describe the emotions he felt when he rose up from the dark world he had known all his life. Seeing the landscape, the mountains, and the bright blue sky above his head…it was too much to bear. The light from the sun felt warm yet uncomfortable on his skin as he experiences it for the very first time.

The light blinded him…

…yet sought him out to find the shadows for him dwell in.

Arriving at the Temple for the League of Shadows, young Talia was waiting for them. As she gazed upon her friend, she rushed to his side, staring at him and his injuries. Her lips quivered in sadness, struggling not to cry in front of Bane. He could never stand to see his precious light cry.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you. I shouldn't have left you. They hurt you. I'm so sorry Brother, I am sorry…"

Bane had put his hands on her shoulders, giving her comfort. "You were meant to be free from that horrible place little one. I will protect you no matter the cost."

She looked into his eyes, nodding her head. Soon she broke the silence. "Where is Mama?"

Bane lowered his head in shame…he could not face her with the truth. Yet she knew what the answer was, as she flung herself into his arms and wept heavily onto his shoulder; sobbing and shouting the injustice of it all, and why did it have to be her mother who was a kind woman who had never committed a wrong act except loving her husband. Why? Why did her mother have to die? The young girl repeated those words over and over again with Bane holding her tightly in his arms. It was one of the few times he ever saw Talia cried.

He would protect her now. And never again would he fail to defend her or any of her loved ones again. He could never stand to see such heartbreak again.

The hellish experiences in the Pit were nothing compared to the intense training and trials the League had prepared for him. What Ras al Ghul prepared for him. Bane knew Talia's father hated him; he was a constant reminder of what the man had lost, and needed someone to punish for his mistakes. The Leader gave him painful, excruciating tasks to complete; Unfair battles, that gave him more scars and more motivation for him to complete all of this for his Talia. He would do it all for her.

Sadly what made his harsher environment even worse to him, was the fact the League's Doctor couldn't do more for his face than what the Prison Doctor had done. Instead, they found a solution by creating a mask that he could inhale medication in order to be pain free. The price though was he could not remove the mask; taking it off for only a short amount of time, such as to eat, bathe or install new medication.

Bane didn't know if it was better or worse.

Then Ras al Ghul excommunicated him from the League of Shadows.

Bane then made his decision on that day, leaving the Temple.

The young man had enough of his choices being taken away from him; enough of people controlling his life to their advantage, making things ten times worse for him. He decided from then on out he would be the master of his life. He would be able to do whatever he wanted, without anyone causing problems for him. He would be in control.

Yes, he was always in control.

Now he was starting to lose his sense of control.

Thanks to his three little birds who entered his life unexpectedly.

Bane had never really believed in Fate or other unseen forces (if such Gods had exist, wouldn't they have answered his prayers in The Pit?), but he knew from the very core of his soul, he was meant to have Robin and his sons. He knew the moment he had spotted them answering his chalk message on the side of an old building. He had written an Arabic quote from one of his favorite philosophers for amusement while scavenging for materials on the surface of Gotham and bringing them down in the sewer.

He never thought he would receive a reply.

He had hidden in a dark alleyway, watching the Omega touch the white chalked symbols, a small smile forming on his perfect pale face, only to grow bigger as he too found a piece of chalk and wrote back with another quote in Arabic as well. While his young sons drew picture, smiling and giggling at the same time. Bane had watched all this…watched them as they expressed happiness and then walk away to wherever they were going.

The Mercenary's heart had fluttered rapidly the entire time as he had gazed upon the small family.

He wanted to know more about them.

With that first step began weeks of chalk messages between Alpha and Omega.

During that time, Bane would follow them when his duties didn't call for him. He wore many disguises and with the help from the shadows, no one never noticed him or recognized the Masked Man. He didn't want to bring attention to himself or Bruce Wayne would certainly become suspicious of the League's activities. He would not risk ruining Talia's plan or the many months of preparation and hard work the League of Shadows had done during that time. He would have control over that.

Which of course didn't mean he couldn't have his share of fun as well.

The Alpha observed his Omega when he went to work at the Orphanage, bringing his sons and the three of them would play with the children living there, having a good time; bringing laughter and joy into the hearts of the orphans who dwelled there. Bane would follow them, watching them go to the playground or to the library. He finally learned the small family's name. His Omega went by 'John Blake' who was raising his two sons 'Dicken' and 'Tim' all by himself. How Father Reilly of Saint Swithens was helping them out from all the troubles the three had suffer in past before they came to Gotham.

His curiosity grew even more with each passing day, learning more and more about his 'bird' family. Cataloging each fact in memory, storing and guarding them so no one else would know about them; so he wouldn't have to share them with anyone. He didn't want to share the information with anyone. They were his and his alone.

As the weeks passed, the chalk writing soon became actual hand written letters.

Band had to thank the children for that.

'Dicken' and 'Tim' would make pictures for him putting them in small envelopes so that they would be protected from the rough elements of Gotham's gloomy weather. Childish drawings of animals and houses; to far off lands and fairytale characters. There were even notes written in Arabic (a bit sloppy, but they were written by a seven year old and four year old) telling their 'writer friend' about their day, what new things they had learned in America, and questions. So many questions they asked Bane! Such curious and bright minds his young chicks had. Bane was proud of them for their intelligence and ability to learn different things.

Bane kept every single one in a locked box, in a private section of his area where no one could get to it. He made sure of that. Yet the biggest surprise of all was when 'John' began to write letters to him as well. For the first time in years Bane was thankful for wearing the mask. He had no idea how his men would react to him smiling while thinking about his 'bird' family.

Of course he couldn't keep them a secret forever. His men were curious, but they knew of the consequences if any of them were to meddle with their leader's private affairs. That was reserved for two of the nosiest people in Bane's life.

Basard and Talia.

Talia was the first to find out.

It began like any other normal day. When Bane wasn't working with his men or spying on the 'Blake' family he would go see Talia. He could not go all the time for he feared for her safety if anyone was to discover the truth about Miranda Tate and her involvement with the League. He would harm anyone who would dare lay a hand on his precious sister.

Though the visits were far and few in-between it brought warmth to both of their hearts to see one another, pleasing them greatly that everything was going according to plan and the City of Gotham was none the wiser.

This particular visit was different from the others.

Sitting down for her evening meal, Talia smiled when she saw Bane coming towards the table. She stood up, going towards him, and gave him a warm hug.

"I am so pleased to see you, my brother!" she said, her eyes shining brightly. "It has been so long."

Underneath his mask, Bane smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling to show his smile. He enjoyed bringing mirth into his Charge's eyes. After everything they had suffered, he would always try to bring happiness to his precious Talia.

"I am as well, Little Sister," he said, and Talia's grin became even bigger. She gestured for him to sit and they both made themselves comfortable. Talia had ordered a fine wine for her to sip on, and the waiting staff knew Bane well enough to know he wouldn't eat or drink in front of them. They talked of the construction in the sewers, and the stock exchange hostage situation, knowing well that everything was going according to plan.

Sometime later into the night, Talia drank some of her wine, but kept looking upon her Protecter. She apparently saw something in him because she set her glass down and crossed her arms. Her eyebrows were raised, with a look of determination on her face as she spoke.

"Who is he?" she demanded, and Bane felt uncomfortable under her scrutiny, which was surprising. He never wanted to feel the wrath of the League's Princess.

He shrugged. "I know not of what you speak of, Little-" Talia cut him off.

"Do not lie to me, Brother. I can always tell. Who. Is. He?" she asked firmly, her eyes and tone brooking no argument.

The older Alpha sighed, knowing full well he could never lie to her. He began to tell his tale to her. "Many weeks ago, I came up a small family who have for some time…intrigued me." Bane sighed internally. "I have learned through notes and drawings that his name is Robin an Omega, alias John Blake. He has two sons, with one Alpha son, Denahi, alias Dicken, and one Omega son, Tempaki, alias Tim. He is kind, and gentle, and speaks our native language. I cannot help myself. I need to know more about them, especially him. I do not even know where he stays when not at the Orphanage," Bane said flatly.

Taking in what her protector had said, Talia's eyes lit up while her mouth stretched into a teasing smile. "My, my, my, Brother. Are you in love?" she said.

Once more he was grateful for the mask, for Bane felt himself blush with his cheeks glowing furiously red, and quickly tried to deny it, but Talia wasn't having it. She knew him all too well.

"You are blushing! You ARE in love!" With a triumphant cry and a smile of a Cheshire Cat. Bane knew it was hopeless to continue with the charade and finally told her the truth.

"Yes, I suppose I am. I must know more about him, but I cannot seem to find him," Bane stated, and Talia's face was thoughtful.

"I will help you. I will have Barsad lead a small group of men helping you find this Robin, and his sons. Do not fret, Brother. They will be safe and sound with you soon enough," Talia said with a reassuring smile, and Bane knew she would do anything in her power to help them, not only for him, but for the sake of the children as well. Talia and Bane may be mercenaries, but they never harmed innocent lives.

They refused to become like the monsters from the Hellish Pit that had taken the one person they had dearly loved.

"Talia…this is very sensitive to me…I don't want…"

Talia caressed his cheek. "I understand my Brother. Barsad is our most trusted soldier and friend. He will be most discreet and make sure that the others will not use the information or Robin against you. I promise that."

That is how Barsad was the second person to find out.

When Talia had approached him with the request without Bane present, Barsad chuckled with amusement. "I always wondered what he meant when he said he was 'bird watching'. I am glad to see that our friend's heart can beat for true love. To yearn for a soul mate."

Talia spoke with conviction to him. "Bane deserves to find love. For I have never seen him like this before my friend. I can see that he deeply cares for this Robin and his sons. When he spoke of them, I could see the love and endearment shining in his eyes."

The Alpha male nodded in agreement. "I believe you. Bane deserves to have someone beside him. A family of his own. Though this does trouble me…"

"How so?"

Barsad chose his next words carefully. "Why an unbonded Omega with his two sons of Arabic origins change their names, but most importantly why they must act like Americans? What is the reason for this blending it? For all of this hiding? It is…most troubling. I don't want to see our friend get hurt.

Talia had no words to say after that.

The soldier kept his promise to his leaders. He selected his most trustworthy men of the League to be on his team, and soon began their quest. From what Bane had observed, they saw the 'Blake' family at the Orphanage doing chores, playing with the children, and helping the priest with anything that needed to be done. With prestige and clever disguise, they were able to follow them and locate the small apartment of Robin. Memorizing the address for their Leader, Barsad along with one his men went inside while the rest of the men watched over the 'Blake' family.

Both mercenaries scrounged through the apartment, seeking for information and making sure that nothing was disturbed to alert Robin of their presence. Barsad went into Robin's bedroom, searching through his closet and drawers. In the midst of his exploration he found a tin box, filled with letters corresponding with Bane. It seemed the Omega treasured these letters, making sure that no one would ever know about that; Taking care of them, with so much love. Barsad had a feeling once Bane and Robin would meet they wouldn't be able to control themselves with their passion. Digging even further into the box, he found passports for the family of three along with records. The Alpha looked closely at them, his brain signaling to him something was wrong with this paperwork.

He would have to gather more Intel and quickly.

Once more, Bane came to visit Talia with reports and small talk of their time apart. Not even an hour had passed when Barsad came into the sitting room. A grim look on his face as he bowed before the two leaders of the League. The tensions in the air quickly thicken as Bane stood before his right hand man.

"What have you found."

A demand, not a question.

Barsad did not beat around the bush. "Robin along with his sons dwell in a small apartment complex not too far away from the Orphanage Saint Swithins. I and one trusted man searched through the apartment probing for information that I knew would be needed. I came upon the records of the Blake family and their passports." He took a deep breath.

Talia motioned for him to continue.

"The paperwork was cleverly forged."

The tension grew even thicker.

"With that knowledge, I broke into the office of Father Reilly of the Orphanage. He too had the same records, but with more information, leading to a forger who resides in Damascus. We contacted him. He had a lot to say once he found out… who we were… and began to tell us. The forger recalled that some months ago a Beta by the name of Father Reilly had come to him, begging for help. The priest needed forged paper work to bring in three people who were born of Arabian descent into America. An Omega with his two young sons, he said. From what he gathered, the small family needed to leave the country as soon as possible. The forger made the cleverly faked papers, wondering what the urgency was. It wasn't until he met them that he realized why."

Talia and Bane looked at him. Waiting for him to continue with his story. Fear began to creep in Bane's heart, dreading the outcome of what Barsad would say about the small family that had brought true light into his life.

"They are Shabah."

A gasp broke out from Talia's lips as her eyes widen in shock. Bane's legs gave out and he loudly fell into the chair; it creaking and groaning from the unexpected weight they had to hold.

From all the horrible thoughts that had come to mind, he had not been expecting that.

Shabah.

Robin, Denahi, and Tempaki were Shabah.

Shabah

Such a horrible word, created by the minds of ignorance and the superstitious. Shabah, the people with the pale skin which burned painfully when in contact with the rays of the sun or any type of light. Always having to hide in shadows, in the dark to protect themselves. The citizens of the Middle East feared them, believing those poor souls were Ghosts, beings that had been born dead, coming back to life; Bringing curses and plagues from wherever they went as they wandered from place to place, trying to find a place to call home. Death and Evil followed them in any way, shape, and form. The life they led was a cruel one, with no hope or kindness from anyone to spare them.

Bane had met his first Shabah, back when he had lived in the Pit. He was a young teen and Talia was just a mere toddler, when guards had brought in a new prisoner. He was an Alpha, sentenced to the Pit just because he had walked into a town. Bane couldn't understand why going into a village would have him arrested. The man did not steal anything or harmed anyone, just had only entered a town for supplies. It didn't make any sense to him. Until one day, he found out the answer to his ponderings.

Not long after his arrival, commotion had broken out in the Pit. Nadiya kept Talia and Bane close to her, as the Alphas dragged the poor man to the only entrance and exit of the Pit, typing him up to a stake. The Prisoners had removed his clothing, revealing the white corpse like skin color. No…what astounded Bane was the skin changing colors.

The Alpha was being burned alive by the sun.

Nadiya tried to keep her children from looking at the dying man, but she could not block out the painful screams that came from the unlucky soul. The man was tied up for three days, until he finally took his last breath. Bane would never forget the sight and smell of rotting flesh. The memory still haunted him to this very day.

The image would never leave his mind as long as he lived.

Barsad's voice soon brought the Masked Man out of his memories.

"Father Reilly was trying to protect them, keep them safe from the prejudices and violence of what the country would do to them. It explains so much. The secrecy of their true nature."

"Indeed. Why they are clearly always covered up, the hiding…" Talia took a large sip of wine. "So that they would not have to go back. The poor dears. The hardships they must have faced, what was done to them there…"

Bane soon stood up slowly. Both Alpha's could tell from the look on his face was determination. The man had come to a decision.

"Barsad, I want there to be two extra cots in my room, a dresser, medical books, and whole supply of medicine on hand. They will be protected. I will make sure of it."

"Even though…"

"I do not care that they are Shabah. It does not change my feelings for them."

Talia and Barsad slowly smiled, a look of relief on their faces. "We are glad to hear that."

"Brother, we will make them feel welcome to the League…to our family."

It came sooner than expected than any of them had thought.

A month later Robin and his sons were arrested.

Hell hath no fury like an angry vengeful Bane.

Gotham would pay the price indeed.

So what do you guys think so far? I was going to add more to the end with Bane meeting Robin and the boys from the last chapter, but I took it out and it will be discussed more later on because I thought it would be too much to handle and I just couldn't think of anything good enough to add.

Bane is such a big softie and Barsad has so much sass going on, it just makes me laugh. Talia and Barsad are just playing matchmaker I know it! :p I just hope I have kept everyone in character, because they were definitely hard to write!

Again a shout out to the amazing alleygirl24. The next chapter coming up will be written by her, so I hope you lovely readers do enjoy it because I most certainly have! Thank you alleygirl24 for all your help, I greatly appreciate it! *Hugs*

Now on to Notes…

Shabah is the Arabic word meaning Ghost. The people who are referred to this in the Middle Eastern countries are because of their skin and their disease. The disease I mostly was leaning towards was Porphyria, most accurately cutaneous porphyrias. These include forms of the disease that cause skin symptoms as a result of oversensitivity to sunlight, but don't affect your nervous system. Symptoms include: Itching, Painful skin redness (erythema), Skin swelling (edema), and Blisters. I just made it more severe for Robin and his sons in the story and will give the disease a different name in the medical field.

I hope I have not confused you readers with all of this. If you have any questions please let me know so I shall answer them to the best of my ability.

Please review!

Thank you!

Dreamcreator

P.S. I have a tumblr page now which can be found on my profile page so please check it out because that's where I will be posting updates about old and new stories. Thank you!